[michaelpoyma]

I would definitely think about what your collection goals are. Are you interested in building sets? Do you want rookie cards? Are you planning on selling anything you get? Are you planning on trading anything you get? Are serial numbered and/or autos important? Be careful about so-called "book value" and the perceived value of cards, and ask whether you can accomplish your goals by buying retail or hobby. I'm strictly a collector, and I've found some cool stuff in retail, but I prefer to buy hobby.